Good camping/backpacking fixed blade?

T

TheGreatGonzo

Joined
Feb 18, 2003
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I'm looking for a good fixed blade to carry while backpacking and hiking. I want something solid (but not absolutely huge) that will hold up well to the elements and keep a good edge when being used for various utility purposes. Do you scholars of the sword think something from the Swamp Rat family might be the right way to go?
Thanks,
Gonzo
 
I have carried everything for a $20 United Cutlery POS to a $500 Custom, and I gotta tell ya, the most bang for the buck I have found have come from the BUSSE Knives, and from Becker Knife and Tool.

Now, these are at BOTH ends of the spectrum. If you have the cash and the time, go with a BUSSE. You won't be disappointed. If you are on a fixed budget, I think you will be happy with an $80 BEAST in the BK&T Brute or Camper or even Fighter.

I have a Cold Steel Master Hunter that I find to be the perfect size, and holds an edge.

Truth be told...I carried my COLD STEEL RECON TANTO Factory 2nd in the woods more then ANY other fixed blade.

R/S
 
busse is too expensive for most people IMO. plus it takes forever for the knife to arrive. are they great knives? of course. probably the best you can get.

swamp rat you can't go wrong with. but they too take some time to deliver. great knives great prices.

my new fave though is Ranger Knives! they have excellent prices for excellent knives. plus their turn around time is QUICK! justin stands behind his products 100% like busse and swamprat, etc. the RD series uses the very tough 5160 with canvas micarta handles. justin's magic heat treat makes these things the best knives for the money, bar none. it performs as good as any busse or rat for a lot less. plus the sheath is a nice spec-ops brand nylon sheath IIRC.

plus if you want to go real tough, justin can easily make a RD in 3V or S7 for you. ok,ok. so it ain't INFI, but the rest of us mere mortals will have to settle for 3V. the price for a 3V RD would undercut a comparable busse literally by hundreds. i could have bought 2 custom RD9's in 3V for the price of my HOFSH. plus i'll probably have a couple of months to use my RD9 before my busse arrives.

check them out: www.rangerknives.com
 
Swamp Rat is definitely the way to go.

A Howling Rat or Bandicoot would handle almost any general outdoor duties, and they're very affordable.

If you need a bigger knife have a look at the Camp Tramp or the Ratweiler.

I have Busses, Missions, and Chris Reeves, but the Swamp Rat gets picked up first on the way out the door.

IMO, it's worth spending the money to have a Swamp Rat instead of a Becker. Becker handles are uncomfortable, they rarely arrive sharp, and I've seen more than one break.

David
 
OK, should have written something about Ranger Knives.

Got an RD7, and it represents excellent bang for the buck. The fit and finish are not as good as Swamp Rat, but then the RD knives are more affordable.

5160 is good, but I have to touch the edge up on my RD7 before I have to do anything to the Ratweiler.

Now, when my custom RD6 in 3V arrives edge holding and toughness comparisons will have to be reconsidered.

Swamp Rat or Ranger Knives: you can't go wrong with either.

David
 
Most of the knives recommended I'd consider too heavy for backpacking. Personally, I carry an Opinel and it's accomplished every cutting need I've ever encountered. If I were to carry a fixed blade, it would be the AG Russell Hunter's Scalpel. Very lightweight (0.8 oz.), relatively painless to replace if lost ($20), locking sheath, and comes with clip and lanyard for versatility. I actually do own one of these, but prefer to carry a folder.

Happy shopping!
Bob
 
Too bad nobody is interested in what you want to use the knife for :rolleyes:
What do you consider hiking and backpacking?
Are you eating packaged meals over a ultralight stove, sleeping in a warm bag with a tent around you, car camping with some dayhiking from the campsite, or packing into the woods, building your own shelter, building cook fires, etc.???
Give some details. You might need nothing more than a little blade like the BM 210, or a big chopper like the Battle Rat, but noone will be able to give you a good recommendation without knowing what you expect the knife to do.
 
Swamp Rat's are good choices, or BM Nimravus/Nimravus Cub may be a bit lighter weight to carry.

If you want to spend less money, Cold Steel Master Hunter or SRK are great choices.

Will
 
Bark River knife and tool have some great knives for around 100$, check out the northstar.
 
I don't know anything about Swamp Rat or Busse, but I love my Fallknivens. Sturdy knives, great steel, and the convex grind is awesome. I've never had a problem with any of mine so I'd have to recommend checking them out.
 
Why limit yourself to just one purchase? (Bwahahahahahaha!)
wallymuk.jpg

Helle Jegermester
Gransfors Mini
Queen Canoe

You can get the whole lot for around $200
$160 if you went with a larger, but still smallish Gransfors hatchet/axe, like the Wildlife.
 
OwenM said:
Too bad nobody is interested in what you want to use the knife for :rolleyes:
What do you consider hiking and backpacking?
Are you eating packaged meals over a ultralight stove, sleeping in a warm bag with a tent around you, car camping with some dayhiking from the campsite, or packing into the woods, building your own shelter, building cook fires, etc.???
Give some details. You might need nothing more than a little blade like the BM 210, or a big chopper like the Battle Rat, but noone will be able to give you a good recommendation without knowing what you expect the knife to do.
Click to expand...


Well, I'm not doing 3 months in the Alaskan wilderness with only a knife, a rubber band, and a Zippo lighter. :rolleyes: :D

Most of my packing trips are 3 - 5 days with a 30 - 40 pound pack. I generally use an ultralight stove, but depending on where I am, I will build a fire if I can. I almost always use a tent. The knife will be used for cutting rope, clearing brush, and cutting small wood. Best detail I can give.
Gonzo
PS - Thanks to all for the helpful replies so far.
 
TheGreatGonzo said:
I'm looking for a good fixed blade to carry while backpacking and hiking. I want something solid (but not absolutely huge) that will hold up well to the elements and keep a good edge when being used for various utility purposes. Do you scholars of the sword think something from the Swamp Rat family might be the right way to go?
Thanks,
Gonzo
Click to expand...

That would help. Also what do you do on your hiking/backpacking adventures?

Like me I stop at least twice to eat and chill by a fire. Or just take pics of things. If it is just a day hike then I would carry my Tops steel eagle and a folder or multi. On a backpacking trip of two or more days I carry My Steel Eagle, folder/swiss tinker and a multi-tool. But I am crazy. Weight is not an issue for me because my pack is lite.
 
Something from Fehrman Knives would work well. Scroll down to the Peace Maker (4") and Shadow Scout (6"). Both knives are .19 thick CPM 3V. For your stated purpose, you don't need the heavier, longer blades, but they're on the same page if your interested.

I have had a Fehrman Final Judgement since July and a Peace Maker is expected middle of next month. Fehrman's CPM 3V heat treat yields a knife that holds an edge under hard use and you'd have to really work to break one.
 
fehrman knives seem to be growing in popularity with leaps and bounds.

i know that will be my next knife purchase :)
 
Hi. I also tend towards lighter backpacking at about 25 lbs., but not to the extreme of going without a knife or carrying a razor blade in a film canister (crazy ultralighters... :confused: ). I hike with a Camillus CUDA Arclite that's about 4 oz. with sheath and Tek-Lok.

I don't understand why one would take a large fixed blade on a hiking/camping trip. If I knew that I would have to split wood, I'd rather bring a small hatchet like the Gransfors Mini Hatchet that Ebbtide pointed out. There's no use in bringing a large fixed blade that won't chop nearly as well.

If you asked the "gram weenies" at WhiteBlaze.net, TrailPlace or TrailForums, quite a few would answer "a Leatherman Micra" or "nothing at all". :)

Edited to add:
I just checked out the Fehrman Knives website. Not to knock them or anything (they look pretty decent), but it's pretty funny that they call a .19" thick knife the "Thru Hiker". Unless they're trying to sell to the 60 lb. pack newbies starting out at Springer in GA, I'm sure that's the wrong demographic... How much does that thing weigh?! I'd guess at least 10 ounces with sheath.
 
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